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OSHKOSH Minutes of the January 9,2014 Board Meeting
PUBLIC MUSEUM (Approved at the February 6,2014 Board Meeting.)
The January meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, January 9,
2014, in the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Gary Haffeman called the
meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Theresa Books.
Present: Present: Excused:
Ms. Cryan, alt. Mr. Haffeman Mr. Daggett
Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Mr. Wiedenhoeft
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Metz
Ms. Kaufman Mr. Winkler
Ms. Thierman, alt. Mr. Mack
Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary Liaison Barb Shirtz, and Administrative
Assistant, Theresa Books recording the minutes.
There were no citizen statements as no citizens attended.
Consent agenda items included the following:
A. Minutes of the December Board meeting
B. January Bill List
C. Authorize $870 from the Collections Fund for Barry Bauman's work on the oil
paintings Gross Mutter and Louisa by Rudolph Gudden
Mr. Rego moved that the Consent Agenda be approved.
Ms. Drew seconded the motion. The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Drew Mr. Rego None
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Metz
Ms. Kaufman Mr. Winkler
Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Discussion of the Strategic Plan draft was next on the Agenda. Mr. Larson briefly reviewed the
Strategic Plan noting that it is an institutional road map for the Museum. He emphasized that the
first major priorities are branding, public awareness and working with the schools. Ms. Fenrich
asked why fundraising isn't on the Strategic Plan. Mr. Larson noted that awareness of the
Museum is so low that community awareness needs to be raised first before major fundraising
can occur. As we increase attendance to the Museum it will show potential donors that we are
taking action. The Museum's current staff shortage would make it difficult to hold any large
events. Mr. Larson assured the Board that in the meantime, the annual year-end donation request
letter will continue as we have done through the years. Mr. Larson was happy to report that while
the goal for 2013 was to raise $20,000, contributions thus far have totaled just under $33,000.
The majority of these funds were designated to the Exhibit Fund with lesser amounts directed to
the Membership Fund, the Collections Fund, the Kitz Directors Fund, and the Endowment Fund.
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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Ms. Drew asked what Board members can do to help the Museum with the Strategic Plan items.
Mr. Larson gave two examples, he said that Board members must be advocates, they should
make it a point to talk about the Museum as they are with friends and out in the community, that
would help more people be aware of the Museum. He also pointed out that Mr. Mack will be
instrumental in helping facilitate the project with 41' grade teachers.
Mr. Haffeman then requested that Mr. Larson present his monthly report. Mr. Larson began by
giving an update of the exhibit In Company with Angels/Living with Tiffany. Mr. Larson noted
that the coming few weeks will be extraordinarily busy as staff dismantle Deck the Halls and the
Holiday decorations and prepare for the upcoming Tiffany exhibit. It is anticipated that there will
be a period of adjustment as we pick up the work that Mr. Breza did. He reminded the group that
the Museum is down three full-time staff and explained that will definitely impact the projects
especially considering that we have a short turn-around period. At the same time Museum staff
will be dealing with the return and then re-shipping part of the Jan Brett traveling exhibit.
Mr. Larson said that to help alleviate this predicament, the Museum has contracted with Laib
Restoration to frame the required temporary walls in the red galleries. Loans will arrive the last
week in January and the first week of February.
Mr. Larson noted that Karla Szekeres is working diligently on marketing the exhibit. The
Department of Tourism JEM grant enables the Museum to promote it to new audiences. The
Museum will be very busy indeed if Tiffany draws the anticipated number of visitors. This
exhibit definitely has the potential of attracting strong numbers.
Mr. Larson laid out staffing contingency plans for weekends if Angels draws large numbers of
visitors—it is to have at least two full-time staff work in addition to the part-time staff and
volunteers. As with many high value exhibits, we are required to have staff or volunteers in the
galleries at all times. If we fall short on volunteers, then staff must be scheduled for gallery time.
Volunteer and staff training is scheduled for the week prior to the February 8 opening.
Mr. Larson updated the Board on the museum assistant position. Approximately 80 people
representing a wide range of skills and experience applied for this one-year, entry-level position.
Four candidates were interviewed on December 30 and he explained he is waiting on the results
of the background check. Mr. Larson pointed out that currently full-time professional staff do
many tasks that in most museum settings are performed by entry-level personnel. This new
position will greatly help with overall staff efficiency.
Mr. Larson reiterated that as soon as the Tiffany exhibit is open to the public and we have a
sense of staffing demands, attention will be directed to the project with 41' grade teachers, and
that the museum assistant will have an important role in that regard.
Mr. Larson then gave an update regarding the graphic artist position. He was happy to report that
Ingrid Law and her new son are doing well. Once the Museum has a letter on file from Ms. Law
stating that she does not expect to return to her position, the graphic artist position can be posted.
Mr. Larson expects the position will remain vacant for several months. Unfortunately, university
intern Gina Van Boxtel will only be here through the end of January. It is anticipated that the
Museum will have to use some of the funds allocated for the internship for contracted services
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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with Blue Door Consulting to take care of the most necessary graphic design projects. Mr.
Larson noted that a new person should be on staff by April 1.
In looking ahead Mr. Larson told the group that Wisconsin Public Television has raised enough
money for their Hometown Stories segment on Oshkosh. They will be here, at the Museum, for a
listening session on Friday, January 17 from 1:30 to 3:30. It would be great if Board members
could attend.
Mr. Larson informed the Board that because rebranding and brand awareness is the Museum's
first priority, he and Karla already had the initial meeting with Heidi Strand of Blue Door
Consulting to discuss expectations, the process, and the timeframe. He explained that there is a
lot to do in this initial phase.
As a final update Mr. Larson informed the Board that the Durow curatorial position will be
announced later this winter, with the expectation that we will have a new person on staff in May.
Mr. Haffeman then presented his President's Report. He acknowledged the good work Michael
Breza did for the Museum over the past 15 years. Mr. Mack, on behalf of the Oshkosh School
District, also acknowledged Mr. Breza's excellent work with the schools in representing the
Museum and sharing history with the students. Mr. Mack expressed the opinion that Mr. Breza is
a master teacher of the history of Oshkosh as reflected in the three characters he portrayed.
Mr. Metz made a motion, with a second by Mr. Mack, that:
The Oshkosh Public Museum Board formally acknowledges the excellent work done by Michael
Breza over the past 15 years and is very appreciative of his service to the Museum.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Drew Mr. Rego None
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Metz
Ms. Kaufman Mr. Winkler
Mr. Haffeman Mr. Mack
The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
Ms. Shirtz noted that the Auxiliary meets tomorrow, January 10th. Mr. Breza is the featured
speaker. The Auxiliary will also acknowledge their appreciation for his excellent work.
With no other agenda items, Mr. Haffeman asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Metz so moved
and Mr. Rego seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm.
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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